Cord

The high point of 1930's American
auto style was courtesy of Erret Lobban Cord,
a successful salesman who, as a teenager, had
traded Model T Ford's around his native Los Angeles.
He went on to sell Victory cars at a Moon dealership
in Chicago, but his big break came when he was
asked to restructure the moribund Auburn company,
then in the hands of a receiver. Within 5 years
he had not only turned the company around, but
had released the L-29 featuring a big Lycoming
straight-eight engine producing 125 bhp (93 kW).

Revolutionary in its front-wheel-drive configuration,
the power from the Lycoming proved too much for
the universal joint, such failures tarnished the
reputation of the marque before production ceased
at the onset of the depression in 1932. They bounced
back in 1936 with the release of the 810, and
although they stuck with the front-wheel-drive
configuration, Cord choose to give the new model
a futuristic streamlined appearance so beautiful,
it was cited as a work of art by the Musuem of
Modern Art.
Powered by a supercharged Lycoming
V8 offering 195bhp (145 kW) the car was expensive
and, perhaps, too good looking for its own good.
Production would finally draw to a close in 1937.

1937 - 1938
The last of the Cords was also the last of the American
front wheel drivers for some 30 years, until the Oldsmobile
Toronado was released. Already known for making front wheel
drive vehicles, this Cord was no different however instead
of using a straight 8 it was powered by a side valve V8.
The car featured retracting headlights and wrap around
grille that sat below a long sleek hood. More >>